UCLA's Barr drafted ninth overall by Vikings

He spent just two seasons on defense, after coming to UCLA as a hulking, 6-foot-4 running back. But after racking up 23 sacks and 41 tackles for loss in that short span, Anthony Barr became the first top-10 pick from UCLA since Hall-of-Famer Jonathan Ogden during Thursday night's NFL draft, when he was selected ninth overall by the Minnesota Vikings.

Over those two seasons, teams fell in love with Barr's potential and freakish athleticism. At UCLA's pro day, he ran a 4.5, checked in at 255 pounds, and continued to dazzle with his raw skills.

Still, over the past month, scouts dissected Barr's game and seemed to cool on his NFL prospects. They questioned his skillset as a pass rusher and called him a one-trick pony. Some analysts dropped him all the way to the second round.

The Vikings, however, proved that fall was no more than a deliberate smoke screen. When his pick was announced at No. 9 -- higher than many believed he would be picked -- NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock compared Barr to Miami defensive end and surefire Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.

“He has no idea what he’s doing,” Mayock said of Barr. “It’s just natural ability, dip and go. It’s all speed, all natural ability. … But trust me folks, a lot of upside, and (head coach) Mike Zimmer and that staff will get it out of him. He’ll be special.

Minnesota hired a defensive-minded coach inZimmer this offseason, one who frequently utilized freakish athletic rushers off the edge. After years of coaching the 3-4 in Cincinnati, there's some thought that Zimmer could bring the scheme to the Twin Cities.

Barr may switch to a 4-3 end spot in Minnesota, but his ideal fit would be as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, which he played at UCLA. In that position, Barr was named an All-American in 2013 and an All-Pac-12 first teamer in 2012, his first season on defense.

At UCLA, Barr becomes the highest-drafted player of the Jim Mora era and the Bruins' second-highest pick in 23 years.